A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba, particularly affecting Santiago de Cuba and nearby areas. The quake caused significant shaking and some structural damage, especially in Pilon. There were no tsunami threats afterward, but residents reported feeling strong tremors that left many shaken. Recovery efforts are ongoing following recent hurricanes that devastated the region.
On Sunday, eastern Cuba was shaken by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey. The seismic event primarily impacted Santiago de Cuba, the nation’s second-largest city, along with the surrounding areas. Positioned along the southeastern coast near Granma province, the epicenter of the quake was close to Bartolome Maso, historically significant as the former headquarters of Fidel Castro during the Cuban Revolution. Residents described the tremors as exceptionally severe, with many experiencing the most intense shaking of their lives. Reports indicated that structures swayed violently, causing household items to rattle off shelves. Damage was noted in the nearby town of Pilon, where many buildings are old and particularly susceptible to quakes. Yolanda Tabío, a 76-year-old resident, recounted, “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything,” as people emerged from their homes, nervous and shaken. The US National Tsunami Warning Center affirmed that there was no tsunami threat following this earthquake, despite its significant magnitude. Initial estimates had rated the quake at 5.8, later adjusted by the USGS. Recovery efforts in the region are complicated by ongoing challenges such as rolling blackouts, which have been prevalent since Hurricane Rafael struck the western section of the island last week, causing a complete power outage affecting ten million individuals.
Cuba frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location along a fault line that delineates the North American plate from the Caribbean plate. This makes the region around Santiago a hotspot for earthquakes. The recent quake adds to a series of natural disasters impacting the eastern regions of Cuba, including devastation from Hurricane Oscar and the notable collapse of Cuba’s electrical grid following Hurricane Rafael. As such, the nation is currently facing significant recovery obstacles from multiple calamities.
In summary, the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Cuba has left residents shaken and marked further challenges for an area already recovering from significant natural disasters. While there were no tsunami threats reported, the quake’s impact on buildings and infrastructure underscores the vulnerability of the region to such seismic events. Continued recovery efforts will be necessary to address the extensive damage and restore stability to the affected communities.
Original Source: www.canberratimes.com.au
